Cover

Chapter 682 - "Mastermind"

This week cover page is a cover story, it about Caribou in the G-5 Marines base. I kind of feel sorry for him now

Summary

Someone Going To Get It

Law has entered the S.A.D. Manufacturing Room. The door to B block have been close shut, the G-5 Marines worry about Sanji's safety, now that poison cloud has filled the passage way. Sanji then leaps down with two G-5 Marines under his arm from above, saying the battle ended early because Vergo ran off somewhere. The G-5 Marines are wondering if that was the real Vergo, but Tashigi lie and say he was a fake.

Sabo!?

Vergo contacts Joker, who is at Dressrosa island. As the two talk a lady wearing a maid outfit attack him, shooting a canon at pinpoint range. But it seems it didn't effect him as he continue to talk to Vergo. Upon hearing that Law has reached the S.A.D. Manufacturing Room, Joker orders Vergo to destroy it, and kill Law without any mercy. He then sends two of his subordinates, Baby 5 (who was trying to kill him a moment ago) and Buffalo to Punk Hazard.

My Name Is Baby 5, You Killed My Father Prepare To Die

In B block, Brownbeard becomes worried that the PH Dragon will destroy the building letting the poison gas in. Then, Nami use her lightning style: Thunder Trap follow by Usopp using Certain Kill: Green Star and then Robin using Quarento Fleur: Quatro Mano to stop the PH Dragon from moving. Brook and Kinemon deliver the final blow. Nami then notices Chopper upstairs in Monster Point, fighting the zombie giant kids.

The Good

+ Law's evil smile

Sakura Eat Your Heart Out LOL!

+ Joker just chilling out, while someone try to kill him

+ Baby 5's power, her power look interesting

+ The guy in the top hat look so cool

+ Brook getting mad at the PH Dragon for not wanting to eat him

+ Team Zoro taking down the PH Dragon, while Zoro is chilling

The Bad

My Quick Thoughts

Hmm, so I guess the S.A.D. is Super Awesome Dragon LOL! Anyway, this chapter was so awesome. There so many thing happening and it seems that we are getting new fighters for the Straw Hats to fight. I can't wait to see Baby 5 fight and who going to be her opponent. I really hope that the first Dragon that Luffy and Zoro kill wasn't a kid

Overall

I'll give this chapter 4 out of 5, it was an awesome chapter, but suck I have to wait two weeks for the next one

Cover

This week cover page is a cover story, it about Jimbei running away from Caribou's brother & his Army of clones. Why are you running Jimbei? You can easily kick those guys butts

Summary

Noooo!! Why You Evil!?

In the passage way that connects block A and block B , Team Zoro (Nami, Robin, Sanji, Usopp, Brook and Kinemon) are riding on Brownbeard's back, because they basically are lazy. Behind them, Tashigi and her remaining men are attack by the PH Dragon. The G-5 Marines open fire at the PH Dragon, but it easily dodge the gunfire and try to take a bite out of them. As the PH Dragon chase the marines, it sense danger and quickly run away.

Vergo: I've Been Wanting To Do This For Ages!

Then the G-5 Marines are cheering of the arrival of Vice Admiral Vergo, believing he has come to save them, but are shocked when Vergo uses Finger Gun on the three closest G-5 Marine to him. Tashigi lunges at him, but Vergo defends against her by hardening his arm, then knocks her down. The G-5 Marines attack him, believing that he is a fake, but are effortlessly defeated.

Sanji then arrives using Air Walk and Diable Jambe to kicks Vergo in the face, knocking the spoon out of him. Back with the rest of team Zoro, the PH Dragon have caught up with them and is about to attack them Luffy is out of breath at the outside of CC's lab, Smoker then come up asking Luffy is he ok. Luffy tells Smoker that he ok and need to catch his breath. When Smoker open CC's lab door, Luffy immediately punches CC in the gut.

The Bad

My Quick Thoughts

Man, I so sad about the PH Dragon being evil and attacking team Zoro. It just going to be eaten by Zoro in the end. All well, there always Monet who can still join the crew after this Arc. Also what happen to Law?

Overall

I'll give this chapter 3.5 out of 5, it was a very good chapter (next chapter is fighting time)

Punk Hazard Island Arc

ONE PIECE Ch. 673 - Vergo and Joker

As Caesar Clown goes to retrieve the children ha had been experimenting on. An incredibly truth is revealed about the mysterious Vergo. Luffy and his gang may have been locked in a cage with Smoker and Tashigi, but the lighthearted hero sure doesn't seem to let that get him down.

The Good

If it wasn't a big enough shock to find out that mysterious Vergo introduced two chapters ago is a Vice Admiral for the Marines. He's actually a pirate who infiltrated their ranks as a spy 15 years ago. All as part of the will of his captain, Donquixote Doflamingo. Color me intrigued.

I should probably slap myself for not realizing who this "Joker" actually is. The name has been tossed around quite a bit recently. It was a nice feint in story telling. Code names aren't common in ONE PIECE. Joker is in actuality Donquixote Doflamingo, a member of the Shichibukai. Now that I look at how Doflamingo always has that creepy grin and controls his own men and government officials through fear of his powers. I wouldn't be surprised if he was partially based around the Clown Prince of Crime. Oda's based characters on Michael Jackson and ROCK HORROR cast. I wouldn't put it past him.

I was sensing some deja vu with the whole scene of Luffy locked in a cage with Smoker. It's funny that Robin is the one who points it out. Seeing how last time something similar to this happened, Robin was on the outside looking in. It's a nice touch of Oda to add. Anyone who's followed this series would make the same comparison. It also highlights the kind of protagonist Luffy is, as well. All this deep drama going on around him. A big new villain revealed, trapped with enemies, wrapped in chains that takes away his powers, and no apparent path of escape. And Luffy has a big grin, and he's laughing at the irony of his situation. Poor, self-serious Law trapped in the middle. Add that to the list why ONE PIECE is always a fun read.

The Bad

The early pages do serve a purpose, but feels a bit off place. It just seems to hammer home that to most of the world Vergo is a trustful and loyal man to the Marines. All this to hide his part in a grand conspiracy. It's just the introduction of such a random character as Yarisugi in the middle of it was overkill - pun intended**

It's also a little frustrating that we still aren't even clear on why Luffy suddenly passed out while fighting Caesar a few chapters back. The conventional wisdom is that the gas got to him, but I'm not so sure.

Verdict 4/5

The plot is thickening to an almost head spinning degree. No one can claim that Oda is slowing down or going in circles. Here I was ready for just another fun adventure on a strange island of fire and ice, but it's turning into a deep and meaningful plot with some incredible twists. One that's using some of my favorite characters in amazing ways. I just home we get a bit more action soon.

The Straw Hats finally break into the New World, and Naruto makes nine powerful friends in this month's releases.

Today is the Japanese release date for two of the big Shonen Three volumes from Shueisha. Though, by this time it was yesterday for them. Ah, the thirteen hour time difference.

Included in the release is ONE PIECE Vol. 66, which contains Chapter 647-656. This concludes the Fish-Man Island Arc, the first arc of the post-time skip era; and begins the latest Punk Hazard Island Arc. It's been great having Smoker and Tashigi back in the story. NARUTO Vol. 60 was also released, which contains Chapter 566-575. This continues to Shinobi World Arc arc, but Naruto has made a groundbreaking change in his relationship with the Nine-Tailed Fox and learns his true name. BLEACH Vol. 55 won't be released in Japan until June 4, 2012.

With VIZ Media's initiative of increasing the publication of these two series, buying these translated in the U.S. shouldn't be that far off. With all the issues I have with some of their publishing and editting practices, I have to applaud them for this.